Nachtkrapp

The Nachtkrapp (German, lit. Night Crow) is an Austrian bugbear creature, cautionary tales about it are used to scare children into going to bed. Similar legends exist in Germany, Hungary, Czechia, Poland, and Russia.

Description

Several versions of the Nachtkrapp exist. In all legends, the Nachtkrapp is described a giant, nocturnal raven-like bird.

The most common legends claim that the Nachtkrapp leaves its hiding place at night to hunt. If it is seen by little children, it will abduct them into its nest and messily devour them, first ripping off their limbs and then picking out their heart.

Tales about the Wütender Nachtkrapp (German, lit. Angry Night Crow) are less common. Instead of abducting children, it merely crows loudly and flutters its wings, until the children have been terrorized into silence.

The Guter Nachtkrapp (German, lit. Good Night Crow) is a rare benevolent version of the Nachtkrapp tale. In Burgenland myths, this bird enters the children's room and gently sings them to sleep.

Background

The origins of the Nachtkrapp legends are still unknown, but a connection exists to rook infestations in the Middle Ages exist. Already feared due to their black feathers and scavenging diet, the mass gatherings quickly became an existential threat to peasants and gave rooks and crows their place in folklore as all-devouring monsters.